Nominate a Smart Commuter!

The annual Golden Modes Awards recognize companies, organizations and people who demonstrate the best use of resources to influence Triangle-area employees’ commute options. Ultimately, they reduce the number of people who drive alone to work, in an effort to reduce traffic congestion and improve our air quality.

Golden Modes nominations are now open! Through Monday, July 31, take a few minutes to nominate individuals or companies to let them know their dedication to smart commuting is appreciated—you can even nominate yourself! We highly recommend you to do so! (See last year’s winners here.)

Commuter Awards

These five awards celebrate a person in your community or worksite who exemplifies a smart commuter by demonstrating and encouraging ways to live more through driving less. Smart commuters are people who commute to and from work or school without driving alone: carpoolers, walkers, bus riders, bicyclists and vanpoolers. Motivation for nominating a smart commuter can include a variety of factors such as long distances traveled, all-weather dedication, number of years of smart commuting, enthusiasm and inspiration to others, etc.

The Golden Sneaker – for walking, running, skateboarding, non-cycling commutersThe Golden Spoke – for bicyclistsThe Pool Party Award – for carpoolers and vanpoolersThe Golden Ticket – for bus ridersThe Multi-mode Innovator - for those using a combination of bus, bike, walk, or rideshare

Employer Commute Awards

These three awards are given to employers or employee representatives who demonstrate the best use of resources to influence employees to use commute options other than driving alone.

Employer Commute Champion – An organization or employer that offers top-tier commuter benefits and facilities to provide travel options that improve the quality of life for their employees. This employer’s efforts toward improving air quality and reducing congestion in the Triangle region earn it recognition as best overall.

Employer Commute Honors – An organization/employer that has shown the most growth in their program over the year (July 2016 – June 2017). Although the organization may not offer every commuter benefit or amenity, a commitment to ongoing improvement and success is worth recognizing.

ETC Honors – In recognition of Employee Transportation Coordinators (ETCs) who go above and beyond the call of duty. These organization/company representatives demonstrate their commitment to smart commuting through assisting and educating employees on available commute options as well as services like the free Emergency Ride Home program.

Community Impact Award

This award recognizes a community, nonprofit, volunteer government commission, community event or an individual advocate that has made a meaningful contribution to solving transportation challenges across the Triangle. This award winner should serve as a model for creating change and establishing smart commuting options and behavior within the Triangle.

Placemaker Award

Anywhere a commuter visits as part of their life impacts the ability to choose sustainable travel options, not just the location of their workplace. This Golden Modes Award recognizes developers and property managers who are enabling tenants, residents or visitors to participate in daily life by providing or supporting practical alternatives to private car use. We would like to acknowledge those who have built new, retrofitted or added to their location over time so that it is designed to encourage biking, walking, use of public transportation and ridesharing such as carpooling. These improvements can include access to amenities on site or nearby options, such as daycare, dry cleaning or grocery stores so visitors or residents can reduce the number of trips they have to make.